Albania – The Country Where Strangers Still Say Hello

There’s a moment that catches people off guard when they visit Albania for the first time — especially here in the south. It’s small, almost forgettable. But it sticks. 

You’re walking along the promenade in Saranda, maybe with your coffee in hand, the sea glittering on your left, and someone you don’t know — an older man in a flat cap, or a woman sweeping her doorstep — looks up, smiles, and simply says: “Tungjatjeta!” or “Mirëmëngjes!” 

That’s it. No sales pitch. No reason. Just a warm hello. 

And for many of our clients, especially those coming from bigger European cities where even eye contact feels like a commitment, it’s a kind of culture shock… the good kind. 

A Hello That Means More 

When people ask me why I love living in Saranda, I could list all the usual reasons: 

The views. The climate. The seafood that tastes like it was caught ten minutes ago. 

But honestly? 

It’s this — the quiet warmth in the everyday things. 

It’s the café owner near Rruga Jonianet who remembers how you like your espresso, even if you’ve only been twice. It’s the way the neighbors offer you a fig or a tomato from their garden. The way a simple “hello” isn’t just polite — it’s sincere. 

I think that’s part of why the real estate market here is doing so well. People aren’t just buying properties. They’re buying into something deeper — a lifestyle that feels human again. 

Not Just a Place – A Feeling 

A few months ago, I was showing a couple from the Netherlands around a few Saranda apartments for sale . We’d just walked into a new unit with sweeping views of the Ionian — really spectacular. You could see Corfu clear as day. But what struck them more wasn’t the view. 

It was the silence. 

The kind you only get in a small town with the sea on your doorstep. 

Later that day, we stopped at a roadside market on the way to Ksamil. The woman selling herbs waved them over with a smile and stuffed their bag with a few extra sprigs of wild mint. “Për shëndet!” she said — “For your health!” 

They turned to me and said, “We haven’t felt this kind of energy in years.” 

That apartment sold a week later. 

The Village Mentality (Even in the City) 

Saranda isn’t a village anymore — but in many ways, it still acts like one. People greet each other in the streets. The baker knows your name. The butcher might throw in an extra slice of suxhuk just because. 

Even in newer neighborhoods like those developing near Mango Beach or the hills above the city, that vibe persists. 

I recently spent some time visiting the White Residence Villas in Borsh — you can see them here — and I couldn’t help but notice how the workers and engineers on-site were chatting with locals as if they’d lived there forever. One of the neighbors brought them homemade byrek. That doesn’t happen in Berlin. 

A Tangent About Tomatoes (Stick With Me) 

Speaking of byrek… 

Let me go off-topic for a second. 

There’s a little market on Rruga Skënderbeu where I sometimes buy tomatoes in the morning. They’re grown just outside of Lukova. One day, I asked the vendor if they use any chemicals. He looked offended — “Vetëm dielli dhe deti, zotëri.” Only the sun and the sea, sir. 

It made me laugh. But also, it made me think. 

That same philosophy is present in how people here treat each other — simple, natural, and without hidden ingredients. 

Real Estate with Real Soul

Let’s talk properties for a moment — because if you’re reading this, maybe you’re not just looking for a nice story. Maybe you’re looking for a place.

The good news is: the Albanian Riviera still has options. Affordable properties with soul.

Sure, we have luxury seaview apartments with private pools, polished tile floors, and smart home features. But we also have homes that let you hear church bells on Sunday or roosters crowing in the morning. Homes where the neighbor might knock just to ask if you need anything from the market.

Some of my favorite listings right now are just outside the main center — places where you can still walk to the sea, but where you’re surrounded by lemon trees and olive groves. If you’re curious, I’d start here — just to get a feel.

Or send me a message and I’ll tell you about the house in Lukova with the grapevine-covered patio. No pressure.

Why This Still Matters in 2025

The world is loud these days. Fast. Disconnected.

And I think that’s exactly why Albania is becoming so attractive — not just for vacation, but for long-term investment and second homes.

Because here, things slow down.

Because here, people still say hello.

Because buying a beachfront property in Saranda isn’t just about location — it’s about emotion. And that matters.

Final Thought (Before I Let You Go)

Last week, I overheard two young tourists in Ksamil talking. One said:

“People here… they actually see you. It’s weird, but nice.”

I smiled to myself.

Because that’s exactly it.

Albania isn’t perfect. But it’s genuine. And I truly believe the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast is right here — not just in terms of money, but in meaning.

So if you’re looking for more than just an investment — if you’re looking for a slower, warmer, more connected way of living — well, maybe it’s time we had a coffee.

And if we pass each other on the promenade one morning, I’ll be the guy who says:

“Mirëmëngjes.”

Looking for something special?

Explore our latest listings — from Saranda seaview apartments to private villas in Borsh: VivaView Projects

(The photo on this blog is captured in Dhërmi, Albania)